The new statement came amid continued pressure from groups such as Yachad and youth orgainsations such LJY-Netzer, the youth movement of Liberal Judaism, for the Board to “speak up against the unilateral annexation of the West Bank, which will have far-reaching ramifications not only for the region and its inhabitants but also for us as Jews in the diaspora”.
They claimed the Board’s stated support for a negotiated two-state solution with the Palestinians would be "impossible to achieve’’ if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu goes ahead with an annexation of a portion of the West Bank.
But on Friday, Mrs van der Zyl reiterated her belief that the role of the Board was to represent the views and interests of the UK’s Jewish community.
She said: “In the main, this is a Zionist community and Israel is of central importance to the identity of many of us.’’
Emphasising her belief that the Board’s role was ‘’facilitate debate’’ on the annexation issue she added; “ We also have to take into account that Israel – the only democracy in the Middle East – has an elected government which reflects the will of Israeli voters.
“We do, as ever, emphasise our continued belief in a negotiated two-state solution, leading to a secure Israel alongside a viable Palestinian state.’’
